WAKEONE’s rising global acts izna and ALPHA DRIVE ONE have entered a strategic partnership deal with REPUBLIC Collective, marking a significant step in the groups’ global expansion.  

Under the partnership, REPUBLIC will support both groups’ successful global expansion including the group’s album promotion and distribution. 

Born from the votes of K-pop fans in more than 217 countries and regions, izna made their official debut in November 2024. Since then, the group has showcased their versatility and broadened their musical range. 

izna released their third mini-album SET THE TEMPO on June 8 with the title track “METRONOME”, about eight months after their second mini-album Not Just Pretty. Reflecting their growing global fandom, the group wrapped their first Japan fan concert Not Just Pretty in January 2026, to sold-out crowds, following their sold-out fan concert in Korea in November 2025  According to YouTube Music, izna surpassed 400 million cumulative streams in April 2026, with “SIGN” crossing 100 million. izna’s official YouTube channel has also surpassed 500 million views, with roughly 230 million of those coming from the music videos “SIGN,” “BEEP,” and “Mamma Mia.”

ALPHA DRIVE ONE adds further global momentum to the partnership. The group made a powerful debut in January 2026 with their first mini-album EUPHORIA, led by the debut title track “FREAK ALARM.” The debut album sales surpassed 1.44 million copies sold, becoming the second-highest sales ever recorded for a K-pop debut album. They also took first place on four major Korean music shows — SBS’s Inkigayo, MBC’s Show! Music Core, KBS’s Music Bank and MBC M & MBC every 1’s Show Champion— with their debut title track, a feat not achieved by a boy group in nine years. 

Beyond Korea, the group’s album reached No.7 on the Worldwide iTunes Album chart, and ranked within the top five in 18 regions, including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Russia. In China, the album topped the daily digital album chart on QQ Music, the country’s largest streaming platform. In Japan, it also secured the upper ranks of Oricon’s Weekly Combined and Weekly Album Charts for two consecutive weeks. On May 26, about four months after their debut, ALPHA DRIVE ONE released their prologue single album No School Tomorrow, with the title track “OMG!”.  ALPHA DRIVE ONE is also set to embark on their first global fan concerts, meeting their fans in three regions – Incheon, Yokohama and Hong Kong from June through July. 

With the deal, both izna and ALPHA DRIVE ONE will broaden their reach across key global markets and bring their music to new audiences around the world, supported by REPUBLIC’s worldwide network and expertise. 

*Photo Credit: Courtesy of WAKEONE

C9 Entertainment’s K-pop boy group EPEX has released their seventh mini album Youth : Epilogue. This is their first music release of 2026 and it follows the release of their full-length album Youth Chapter 3: ROMANTIC YOUTH last summer, closing out their Youth series. Through this series, EPEX portrayed the concerns, dreams, love, and emptiness felt by themselves as well as people their age and younger, and in this epilogue album, the main narrative within the music and lyrics is about a youth who, after passing through their most intense and imperfect times, stands at the threshold of a new beginning with a renewed sense of confidence in themselves. 

“Since the members were highly involved in this album, I think it became an especially meaningful and heartfelt project for us. We are really excited to see ZENITH’s reactions because we will be showing sides of EPEX that we have never revealed before, without holding anything back. Just imagining ourselves enjoying the stage makes me want to show it to you as soon as possible. Please look forward to it.” - WISH, member of EPEX

Youth : Epilogue includes four new tracks. The album opens with the title track “ECHO,” which features a minimalist 2000s-inspired sound with a rhythmic groove. EPEX members JEFF, BAEKSEUNG,  and AYDEN contributed to writing the lyrics, and with it, they hope it will resonate with listeners and give them confidence. “ECHO” is followed by “매일의 내일 (BETTER DAYS),” a pop track that highlights EPEX’s signature bright energy and is about dreaming of better days while standing on the boundary line between youth and adulthood. 

BAEKSEUNG also contributed to the lyrics, with AYDEN also contributing to the lyrics and the composition for the third track, “BOYS IN THE BAND.” It’s a hip-hop track that blends band-style instrumentation with emphasized four-rhythm, which is about being together with their fans no matter where they are and enjoying every moment without worry. Youth : Epilogue closes out with “사랑 아직 잘 몰라도 (Call it love),” an emotional rock ballad love song which expresses the true desire for that one person.

“Personally, I think this album contains a lot of different emotions. Because it has been a while since our last comeback, I feel both excitement and nervousness, and I really want to meet ZENITH again! The title track “ECHO” represents a new beginning for EPEX and for our career, so we worked very hard on it. Especially this time, since we participated in most of the tracks in the album, I am grateful that we were able to tell more of our own story. Please send us lots of support and interest!” - BAEKSEUNG, member of EPEX

Watch Echo MV:

*Photo Credit: C9 Entertainment

IDID released their new single album “FLY!” on May 27, returning with a determination to fly even higher while pivoting toward a brighter, livelier direction. 

“FLY!” focuses on revealing the rookie group’s most natural side at this very moment. Highlighting their confidence, vibrancy, and the “after-school energy,” the album showcases their positive vibes and unique chemistry. The lead track of the same name captures these elements to the fullest. Striking a balance between classic hip-hop edge and modern sounds, the track features a heavy rhythm, a distinctive cowbell sound, and a bright, rhythmical chant chorus that blends seamlessly over an old-school boom bap groove. Its core message goes beyond just flying high – it is about surpassing limits with a lively spirit and bringing their true selves to the forefront. 

Watch FLY MV:

The “FLY!” music video, released alongside the album, is also generating significant buzz for capturing the members’ dynamic movements and free-spirited aura. Combining effortless freestyle moves with sharp, synchronized choreography, the video opens with the chime of an airport announcement as leader JANG YONGHOON stretches out, immediately commanding attention with a deep groove. One by one, the other members step into the spotlight, channeling a nostalgic teen-movie aesthetic before shifting into an awe-inspiring, hip-hop infused synchronized routine. 

Also included in the album is “Attent!on,” which was first performed as an unreleased track during IDID’s first fan concert last April. Sitting at the intersection of boyish charm and confidence, the song’s contrast between hip drum sounds and smooth synth lines creates a lively rhythm. A gently swaying mood and a lyrical melody also overlap in a soft, fluid manner. 

This album marks a significant musical expansion for IDID. After establishing the team’s musical identity with their debut album “I did it.” and their first digital single “PUSH BACK,” the group has taken a further step to embrace brightness and liveliness. While “PUSH BACK” showcased the attitude of walking forward at one’s own pace, “FLY!” adds an easygoing energy and a more radiant atmosphere to that foundation.  

IDID is the first boy group in nearly five years from Starship Entertainment – home to K-pop artists MONSTA X, IVE and KiiiKiii. The members – JANG YONGHOON, KIM MINJAE, PARK WONBIN, CHU YOOCHAN, PARK SEONGHYEON, BAEK JUNHYUK and JEONG SEMIN – are the winners from Starship Entertainment’s ambitious debut project ‘Debut’s Plan,’ which aired last year amid high popularity.

The group made their official debut with the “I did it.” album in September, establishing themselves as one of the most promising rookie acts in K-pop. With this album – a bold statement of IDID’s intent to break the mold and turn imperfection into brilliance – the septet achieved a series of remarkable musical feats including a music show win, while selling more than 440,000 copies of their album in the first week of release.

*Photo Credit: Starship Entertainment

Global girl group MEOVV officially go into beast mode with THE 2nd EP ALBUM [BITE NOW], out now via THEBLACKLABEL / Capitol Records. The strikingly bold five-song set is unlike anything we’ve heard yet from the quintet, embodying reinvention and ascension as MEOVV evolve into their true form driven by unyielding grit and unwavering resolve. That awakening is especially clear in the dramatic single “DDI RO RI” and its eye-popping music video. 

Prime Video today released the trailer for its upcoming Korean office romance series See You at Work Tomorrow!, teasing relatable workplace moments and a budding romance. The trailer showcases the sparkling chemistry between Cha Ji-yoon, an office worker trapped in the monotony of everyday life, and her boss, Kang Si-woo, as the two grow closer and Ji-yoon finds her heart racing in unexpected ways. Starring Seo In-guk (Boyfriend on Demand, Death’s Game, Doom at Your Service) and Park Ji-hyun (You and Everything Else, Hidden Face, Flex x Cop), See You at Work Tomorrow! will premiere on June 22, and will be available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. See You at Work Tomorrow! captures the realities of modern workplace culture through a blend of humor, warmth, and emotional moments that resonate with everyday life. Blending sharp workplace satire with romance, this series delivers a fresh, relatable take on office life—where deadlines are tight, emotions run high, and love might just be the most unpredictable project of all.